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TOP STORIES FOR
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2003
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Nestaway Employees
Evacuated During Fire |
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Nestaway employees
received an unexpected afternoon vacation after a roof
fire caused the entire manufacturing facility to be
evacuated on Friday, May 23 at 1:30 p.m. Day-shift
employees were excused after an impromptu meeting at 1:45
p.m.
Employees said they could smell the smoke but could not
find a fire in the building.
A pilot at the Carroll County Airport, adjacent to the
dishwasher manufacturing company, saw smoke escaping from
the building's roof and notified the terminal at the
Carroll County Airport. McKenzie Fire Department responded
to the scene and immediately asked for mutual aid from
Huntingdon, Macedonia, and Paris fire departments.
McKenzie firefighters arrived on the scene at 1:30 p.m.
and located a 75-foot area of the roof on fire, which was
apparently started from some type of water heater vent,
according to a report by the McKenzie Fire Department. The
local department quickly extinguished the fire using water
mixed with a foam suppressant.
Damage was minimal and the evening work shift continued as
usual.
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Atwood's "Mack" Dies
at Age 81 |
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Atwood merchant
Billy C. "Mack" McGregor died at his home Saturday at
approximately 7:50 p.m. of a massive heart attack.
Mr. McGregor, who has been in declining health for the
past several years, was in his recliner when his wife of
59 years, Martha McNatt McGregor noticed his irregular
breathing and called for help, according to The (Milan)
Mirror-Exchange. An ambulance transported him to Milan
General where he was pronounced dead. Medics worked
diligently to save him when they arrived, Mrs. McGregor
said.
He was a 1940 graduate of Milan High School and played
football (as a Bulldog) in the first game he ever saw,
he often related to friends.
He founded McGregor's Hardware in 1945, which later
expanded into store buildings on both sides of Main
Street in Atwood. Currently known as Mack's Inc., the
family operated firm features a furniture store,
hardware store, hunting gear, Army surplus goods, and
many other items.
An avid fisherman, Mr. McGregor and Martha spent lots of
time at the lake until five years ago when his knees
required surgery.
He lived in Atwood all of his life and served as
treasurer of the Atwood Church of Christ and as a deacon
for 46 years. He was a charter member of the former
Atwood Lions Club. He also served as a director of
Citizen's Bank & Trust in Atwood for 20 years. |
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Sacrifices of War Heroes Remembered
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McKenzie/Huntingdon
Celebrate Memorial Day |
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 Citizens
attending both the McKenzie and Huntingdon Memorial Day
services received a double blessing of small town pride
on Monday, May 26, even as two more soldiers died in
America's current conflict in Iraq.
The second annual "A Day of Remembrance" service was
held at 10:00 a.m. in McKenzie's downtown park. The
event attracted well over 200 veterans and others who
gathered to honor those who gave their lives in
America's wars that their fellow citizens might continue
to enjoy the freedoms upon which America was born.
Guests represented the tri-counties area and as far away
as Louisiana and Arizona.
Retired Air Force Veteran and McKenzie Mayor Walter
Winchester welcomed the crowd and recognized the
sacrifices of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice of
life and the veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam,
and the Gulf Wars who fought alongside those who died.
Cumberland Presbyterian Pastor Tony Janner, himself a
Vietnam and Gulf War veteran, delivered the invocation,
giving thanks for those men and women who "never looked
back but cared for the future and were willing to
sacrifice their lives for all."
Representatives of the McKenzie Police Department posted
the colors with hometown pride that was shared by those
in attendance. Representing the Police Department were
Assistant Police Chief and Vietnam Veteran Bobby Pate,
Sergeant Ricky Sawyers, Corporal Kim Barker, and
Patrolman Andy Weaver.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Brittany Washburn
eloquently sang The National Anthem a capella, after
which Retired Air Force Veteran and McKenzie City Clerk
Dana Deem related a history of America's wars and
recounted the number of lives lost among those who
served from Carroll County: During the Mexican-American
War, 68 Carroll County soldiers died; in the Civil War,
116 soldiers from Carroll County were killed; one
soldier was lost in the Spanish-American War; 41 during
World War I, and 77 during World War II. In the Korean
War, 12 Carroll County soldiers lost their lives, and in
Vietnam, 13 soldiers paid the ultimate price for their
country. Although no Carroll County lives have been lost
during each of the Gulf Wars, Carroll Countians grieve
with Weakley County over the loss of Army Specialist
Thomas Arthur Foley, who last month was killed in the
service of his country.
State Representative Mark Maddox declared those killed
in the defense of their country did not die in vain.
"Because of their sacrifice I get to go to Nashville and
talk for you and come up with ideas for you," he said.
"And because of their sacrifices you get to stand on the
street corner and disagree with (me.) Because of the
sacrifice of these individuals we sleep at night and
sleep soundly."
State Representative Chris Crider, who shared that both
his grandfathers served in World War II, expressed
appreciation for those "who gave their lives... who
walked the same streets and who dreamed under the same
stars" as those who have come after them. To the
veterans in attendance, he said, "You guys showed a kind
of courage I only hope that I possess."
World War II hero and former prisoner of war Dwayne
Pearson of Huntingdon was the honored speaker at
McKenzie's event, who attended with his wife Evelyn. The
Pearson's pastor, Reverend Joseph A Walker, due to Mr.
Pearson's illness, delivered Mr. Pearson's powerful
account of battles that began at Casablanca in North
Africa and proceeded through his capture by German
forces in Italy, his experiences as a prisoner of war,
including his escape and the brutal treatment he
received upon being recaptured, and his ultimate rescue
by General Patton's forces at the end of the war.
The 34th Infantry, 1st Armored Division, with whom Mr.
Pearson served, participated in six major Army campaigns
in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy, during which time
they accumulated 517 days of continuous front line
combat, with one or more units engaged in actual combat
with the enemy 611 days. The Division lost 3,737 men who
were killed in action; 14,165 wounded in action, and
3,460 missing in action, for 21,362 total battle
casualties. The division's men were awarded 10 Medals of
Honor, 98 Distinguished Service Crosses, one
Distinguished Service Medal, 1,052 Silver Stars, 116
Legion of Merit medals, one Distinguished Flying Cross,
1,713 Bronze Stars, 51 Soldier Medals, 34 Air Medals,
with duplicate awards of 52 oak leaf clusters, and
15,000 purple hearts.
Mr. Pearson received the first P.O.W. Medal in Carroll
County. He was also awarded a Good Conduct Medal, a
Campaign Ribbon and Two Battle Stars for battles fought
in Africa, Three Battle Stars and Campaign Ribbon for
battles fought in Italy, the Purple Heart and the Bronze
Star.
Mayor Winchester bestowed upon Mr. Pearson the Key of
the City of McKenzie in recognition of his heroic and
selfless service. Also honored was recently retired Navy
E-6 James Cooper of Greenfield, who was awarded a plaque
for service that included tours during both Gulf Wars.
Woodmen of the World representatives J.W. Edwards and
Selina Boyd presented American flags to both Mr. Pearson
and Mr. Cooper.
In a moving tribute that began with a song dear to the
hearts to many, Brittany Washburn sang "American
Trilogy" - a song that combines lyrics from Dixie, All
My Trials and Glory Hallelujah - followed by "God Bless
the U.S.A."
Mr. Pearson and Retired Air Force Veteran Raymond McDade
placed the wreath at the monument honoring the Carroll
County soldiers killed in prior wars, after which the
McKenzie Police Department Color Guard retired the
Colors.
McKenzie High School band members Christy Lowe and David
Deaton performed taps in echo in poignant recognition of
the solemn occasion, after which Reverend Janner
performed the benediction of the service. "Those who
have gone before us are now in the presence of God,"
said, invoking the responsibility of each citizen who
follows them in time.
Veterans enjoyed a reception of Subway sandwiches and
drinks provided in their honor by the City of McKenzie
and tended by women of the McKenzie VFW Auxiliary, while
Cruise Control, the famously-known local band composed
of Juvenile Judge Larry Logan, Argel Reynolds, Patrick
Steele and 16-year-old Kimberly Gaskins, all of
McKenzie, entertained guests until one o'clock with
their special brand of rock-n-roll favorites.
MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES IN HUNTINGDON
 Perfectly
complementing the grassroots service in McKenzie,
Huntingdon's 7:00 p.m. Memorial Day event combined more
homespun goodness with the pageantry of the Marine Color
Guard of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines in
Nashville, a 21-gun salute and guest speaker retired
Major General Jerry Humble, who currently serves as
Director of the Office of Homeland Security for
Tennessee.
In what seemed to be an interruption of the service as
it was about to begin, a train's lonesome whistle and
the slowly subsiding rumble of its wheels along the
track in back of Thomas Park were reminders that a depot
once stood at the place in which citizens were gathered,
where many of the soldiers had also gathered as they
boarded trains that took them away from home on their
first step toward the foreign lands where they lost
their lives that America might remain free and strong.
Huntingdon High School Chorus members dressed in red,
white and blue distributed American flags among a crowd
of over 200, then assembled to sing "She's More Than
Just Another Flag" for an emotionally stirring opener to
the service.
The Marine Corps Color Guard presented the Colors after
which the National Anthem was led by the Chorus, and
Mayor Dale Kelley led the crowd in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
In his opening prayer, County Executive Kenny McBride
prayed, "Help us to always be mindful of the sacrifices
and of our freedoms and never take them for granted."
Mayor Kelley acknowledged the Carroll County War
Memorial honoring the dead and greeted the veterans,
each of whom, he said, was an honored guest. "Memorial
Day is also a time," he said, "for celebrating the
patriotism that binds us as a community and as a
nation."
Major Humble stated that for 227 years men and women
have been joining our armed forces, representing our
country and keeping us free. He set out three tenants
that make up a great country: economic power,
political/diplomatic power, and military power. All are
inter-related, he said, but "diplomacy and economics are
carried around the world by military power... They have
been carrying our banner and keeping us free and doing
things to keep our commerce flowing around the globe."
It is not just the veteran, he said, but their families
and loved ones who share in the ultimate sacrifice.
"Every generation has met the call and nowhere more than
Tennessee."
He credits America's proactive pursuit of terrorists and
their agents with why there have been no more attacks
since 9-11. "Most importantly," he continued, "Service
men and women are also standing on the border between
North and South Korea - the most dangerous place in the
world - and standing strong."
"They do that because they are Americans who have
received the call to service and they do it because of
you," he declared. "... At the end of the day, I'll tell
you, it's a magnificent day to be an American."
The Chorus sang "God Bless the U.S.A." after which
Carroll County Chamber of Commerce President Brad Hurley
related the history of Memorial Day and its southern
roots.
In tribute to the original Memorial Day custom of laying
flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers, mothers and
children as well as Johnny Radford, representing
"grandpa" and Conner Pinson as "a little boy", each
representing one of America's wars, placed white
carnations into a gingham lined basket near the
memorial. Grandpa and grandson also served as symbols
for the lyrics of the opening song in which the old man
related to his grandson the meaning of the flag and the
sacrifices born by those who defended it and who will
support it in the future.
The 21-gun salute was followed with taps played in echo
by Cari Beauchamp and Ben Campbell.
Underscoring the poignancy of the service, always
dynamic Jeal Atwood (Mayor Kelly's Administrative
Assistant) performed in sign language for Huntingdon
resident Rose Beal, each of the songs performed during
the service.
As Ms. Atwood, Tracey Hilliard and Beth Perry signed
"God Bless America" to close the service, Ms. Beal in
triumphant patriotism signed the song as others sang the
verses. |
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These
stories and more exclusively in the
print edition: |
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- Contract Negotiations Continue Between School,
Teachers
- Beer Permit Holders Cry Foul
- Gleason High School Graduates Forty-Three
- Four McKenzie High School Classes Reunited
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Phone (731) 352-3323 or Fax (731)
352-3322
washburn@mckenziebanner.com
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